Slideshow: Summer of '73, Guerneville, Russian River

As a kid, this was one of my favorite campgrounds on the Russian River in Guerneville, California. So when I pulled out this slide, I actually gasped to see what it really looked like through adult eyes. To me, this place was paradise.

What more could a kid want? Hot lazy Coppertone-scented days spinning in a big, skin- burning, black inner-tube in the cool waters of Russian River; hot dogs and marshmallows heated on twigs over a campfire until they got charred; Communal movies shown on a big white bed sheet at the front of the campground; of course, this elegant swimming pool. Just across the street was a pee wee golf course with a super slide. It was kid Heaven.

So, to see the campground pool now - the water green-hued from algae, surrounded by weed-strewn cement and a trailer - is a little shocking; not that it seemed to matter to me at eight years old. The way I'm lounging on that blue raft, head resting in hand, I don't think I could have been happier if I were in the turquoise waters of the Bahamas.

Comments

HA! I so relate to this post. When I think back to the swimming pool we went to out in the sticks during childhood summers...it seemed so EXOTIC. I realize now...it was just someone's backyard...they just lived in a rustic setting. :)

That is hilarious!!!! We used to go to that same Russian River back in the early 70s, too!! My aunt and uncle from Hayward, CA had some dilapidated cabin where everything was on a slant and we'd roll off the bunkbeds at night. They called it SKY HAVEN. And to us, it was a bit of heaven. It really isn't the same returning there as an adult. It's got those same weeds. :O)

Remember pee-wee golf and the super slide...and how that siren would go off at the river all the time? My dad told me that meant someone was drowning. I could never tell when my dad was kidding. But if so, an awful lot of people were sinking in the river.

As a matter of fact I did go back in the '90s. It was sad. Everything was quiet. Another campground we went to - when we could afford better, I guess - had one creepy guy carrying an ax. No kids in the pool with the juke box playing. So sad.